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STH Updates

• Max Transit

  • Mitchell met with MAX Transit on their new routes. It’s looking like a major improvement, especially frequency.

  • MAX Transit will be presenting at our March meeting which will be Tuesday March 18 at the Herrick District Library Main Classroom at our normal time of 6pm

• Plowing sidewalks

  • Continued talking about plowing of sidewalks

  • Concerns about how the snow it cleared, but it’s sometimes worse because then all that’s left is a layer of ice

  • Room for improvement

• Bike parking in the downtown parking garages

  • Reached out to the City Engineer Brian White, and this will be on the agenda for the traffic committee in February

Volunteer Opportunities

• Coffee with Council (see STH events page)

• Bike Parking Map

  • Join the discord or reach out to mitchell@strongtownsholland.org for information on how to participate

• Faded crosswalks

  • Multiple members expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the paint at crosswalks they use

  • If you have a crosswalk you think is in need of repainting please send it to mitchell@strongtownsholland.org, and include your City Counselor in that email if you feel comfortable.

• Community Action House Refresh Program

  • They’re still taking on new volunteers for the bike repair program

  • There’s also plenty of other ways to get involved at https://fumcholland.churchcenter.com/people/forms/335839

Events

• Lakeshore Home Building and Remodeling Show (Karla)

  • Could be fun if you’re looking for ways to improve your homes “curb appeal” or want to learn more about renovating your home

  • January 24

  • 1:00pm - 8:00pm

  • $7 if tickets are purchased in advance, $8 otherwise

  • Kids 13 and under get in for free

• City Council Meetings

  • January 15 and February 5 at 6:00pm

  • Weird month because of the holidays usually they don’t do two in a row

  • The January 15 meeting may go long due to the social justice awards

  • Study sessions are also open to the public, and it’s an interesting way to see how decisions are being made

Learning

This month LC Leader Mitchell walked the group through a “case study” on the differences between the development patterns of Towers on River and Vista Green.

Group Discussion

• The group discussed pedestrian flashing beacons otherwise abbreviated to RRFB (Rose)

  • Workers are very vulnerable on 16th and Ottawa

  • The (mid-block?) crossing a bit further west on 16th is also not great with all the foot and bike traffic from the board walk

• Partnership with Hope College (Multiple Members)

  • Multiple members were interested in collaboration between Strong Towns Holland and Hope College

• Environmental impact of housing (Jonna)

  • The group discussed the environmental impact of new housing projects

  • There are pros and cons for every project

  • More infill development would help mitigate environmental impact, but it can be difficult to accomplish